Comments on: Topo Twofingers: Topo Athletic Releases Photos of New Shoe Line

By: Jeff Giedt

Jeff Giedt — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelac… < Super knot, no double needed. All runners should look this site over, especially about Granny Knots.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Greg.

The ones on the left remind me of BOA laces - never been a big fan of that system. String works fine for me.

By: Tad Kardis

Tad Kardis — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Kevin Dickson.

I hear you, my Greek-toed brother.

By: Kevin Dickson

Kevin Dickson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Why is it with all these foot shaped shoes they never think about people with Morton's toe? I have never been able to wear VFFs and most of my other shoes are too long over the big toe to compensate for my second toe.

By: Tad Kardis

Tad Kardis — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I have a few pairs of ZEMs. Round and split. In their earliest days (before the more built-up offering you see above) they made a slipper engineered for the beach, not the road. You’d be lucky to get 100m on the road before wearing through. The second round of models had sole designed to hold up on the road, but not much else. The split toes are called “ninja” and referred to as “cow shoes” in my house. Ran my first marathon in ’em. The split toe design is nice for allowing some toe splay without sliding around in them too much, but at distances above 10 miles, you’re probably going to get a blood blister at the split. For the split to be functional without interfering with natural movement, it has to be flexible. These Topos don’t look very flexible to me. I vote “no thanks.”

By: Lee Firman

Lee Firman — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

It’s great to see Tony Post giving a response to the review, which I would also like to add, was very informative. Thanks.

The ToPo range certainly look nice. I’m a little disappointed with the wedge of sole underfoot – Not as minimalist as minimalist fans would like.

Nevertheless, I await their release with excitement, and look forward to giving them a try!

Lee from Feetus.co.uk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Feetus…

Twitter: https://twitter.com/feetusonli…

Blog: http://feetusonline.wordpress….

By: Tony Post

Tony Post — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi All, Tony Post here. I just want to say thank you for all of your comments and feedback. We really do want to hear it all, good or bad. Reading blogs, listening to product feedback, and hearing from users is a core part of our process.

Pete, great job doing your research. We mention Shigeki Tanaka often and use that photo in nearly all of our presentations. He's a pretty remarkable story.

We all know that tabi-fit split toe footwear has been around for many, many years. However for us, it all comes down to product ingredients and execution. To use a cooking metaphor: everyone uses tomatoes, garlic, and salt in their red sauce, but everyone's sauce tastes different. The same can be true in footwear.

We like footwear that feels like its a part of your body, and we go to great lengths to make sure the shoes are light, secure, relatively seamless inside, and protective in areas where that can be a benefit to the user. Our broad anatomically designed forefoot allows the toes to spread and splay, while our split toe fit creates an anchor point in the forefoot so the shoe feels more secure and connected to your body. Our shoes are not really minimal, they are zero drop with 12-15mm of stack height (includes removable footbed).

And while we are proud of the componentry, features, and our designs, we know our shoes may not be for everyone. That said, we're working hard to learn more and get better, every day/month/season. Just like the athletes who inspire us.

Again, thanks to all for your candor and comments!

By: Jeff Dengate

Jeff Dengate — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Two models are for running. The pink model above is a racer and does have the Boa lacing system. The gray/blue model is a slightly more substantial daily trainer--though still very low profile and lightweight. The other shoe seems to be going after the Cross Fit crowd. Regarding the Boa system, I asked Tony Post yesterday why he went with that. He's a big fan, and doesn't want to risk the possibility that his shoes come untied when running fast.

By: Jim Hansen

Jim Hansen — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nike had a similar split shoe like that in the 1980's called the Rift, believe. It was dark green. When I typed that into Google for the images, there seems to be a lot of newer models of a Nike Rift shoe with the split toe, but I couldn't find the original..

By: beckip

beckip — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Literal camel toe, huh?

By: Stephen Boulet

Stephen Boulet — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

How is that B2R review coming? ;) I guess ultimately the proof will be how they perform on the feet. Edit: according to the Wired report, only one of these is a running shoe, the RR, and it's a racing flat. I don't see any good choices here for a lot of distance.

By: Jason Jantzen

Jason Jantzen — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Not sure if I'm the only runner out there with a huge callous on my footpad between the big toe and 2nd toe, but I feel a bit of relief running in VFFs vs normal shoes. A split toe would be ideal in that it only separates the two toes sharing the pressure of that callous and allows the others to spread freely. I've never tried it tho (just VFFs).